TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical-component attachment structure for
an engine room of a forklift.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A forklift is often used to promote work efficiency of transportation, loading, and
unloading of various objects. There is employed a method using power from a battery
or an internal combustion engine mounted on a forklift as a driving source of the
forklift.
[0003] In a case where an internal combustion engine is used, operation of the internal
combustion engine increases the temperature of the internal combustion engine itself,
and the peripheral members are also heated by radiation heat dissipated from the internal
combustion engine.
[0004] Electrical components for a vehicle (including a forklift) are required to have heat
insulating property. Thus, many electrical components have a resin outer shell, and
may fail to function sufficiently by receiving high heat.
[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a countermeasure technique against such
high heat.
[0006] Patent Document 1 discloses a battery forklift track including a controller for controlling
a traveling motor and a work motor for driving drive wheels and work devices mounted
to the forklift via a bracket removably fixed to the counterweight.
[0007] With the controller attached to the counterweight having a high heat content via
the bracket, the disclosed technique discharges the heat generated by the controller
from the counterweight via the bracket.
[0008] Further, Patent Document 2 discloses attaching an engine hood to an erected board
disposed behind the engine hood via a pair of right and left hinges.
[0009] The pair of right and left hinges has a structure such that the engine hood is removed
from a vehicle body by moving the hinges in the axial direction of the rotational
shafts of the hinges with respect to the rotational shafts.
[0010] In this way, the work for maintenance and repair of a forklift is facilitated.
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0011]
Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Pub. No. H7-172800
Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Pub. No. H10-310386
SUMMARY
Technical Problem
[0012] In Patent Document 1, however, it is necessary to provide a recess on the counterweight
to attach the controller.
[0013] The counterweight is to prevent rear wheels from moving upward about front wheels
of the forklift when a weight load from loads is applied to a load lifting unit of
the forklift, so that the forklift can be driven and steered.
[0014] Thus, if the recess is to be disposed on the counterweight, it is necessary to increase
the size of the counterweight to secure a suitable weight.
[0015] However, increasing the size of the counterweight detracts the maneuverability, which
is an important function of the forklift.
[0016] Further, the structure disclosed in Patent Document 2 is for removing the engine
hood from the vehicle to perform maintenance and repair on the forklift. Thus, no
technique is disclosed in relation to protection of electrical components from radiation
heat of an engine.
[0017] The present invention was made in view of the above issues. An object is to provide
an electrical-component attachment structure for a forklift for concentrating electrical
components disposed around an engine in a single location so that an electrical harness
does not contact the engine and maintenance of the electrical components is facilitated.
Solution to Problem
[0018] To achieve the above object, the present invention is capable of providing an electrical-component
attachment structure for a forklift, including: a pair of right and left side frames
extending in a vehicle front-rear direction of the forklift at an interval in a vehicle
width direction; a pair of right and left side covers disposed so as to face an engine
and a plurality of devices for the forklift which are disposed between the pair of
side frames, the side covers being erected on upper surfaces of the pair of side frames;
a front cover for closing a front end side in the vehicle front-rear direction of
the side covers in the vehicle width direction, the front cover being disposed over
the pair of right and left side frames and mounted to the pair of right and left side
frames removably; and an engine hood covering an upper end of a space surrounded by
the side covers and the front cover. The front cover includes a side to which a plurality
of kinds of electrical components for operating the forklift is attached, the side
being adjacent to the engine.
[0019] Further, preferably in the present invention, the electrical-component attachment
structure may further include an electrical-component board to which the plurality
of kinds of electrical components is attached. The electrical-component board may
be attached to the side adjacent to the engine of the front cover removably by a fastening
member.
[0020] Accordingly, with the electrical components attached to the front cover that is attachable
and removable to and from the vehicle body, the electrical harness connected to the
electrical components easily gather, which makes it easier to prevent the electrical
harness from contacting or approaching the engine.
[0021] If the electrical components were disposed dispersedly around the engine, harnesses
would be arranged extensively around the engine and the number of clamps supporting
the electric harnesses and the support brackets fixing the clamps would be increased,
which results in cost increase, deterioration in maintainability, wire layout error,
and interruption of air ventilation around the engine. These situations can be prevented
with the above configuration.
[0022] Further, since the front cover can be removed from the side frames along with the
electrical-component board to which the plurality of kinds of electrical components
is attached, maintenance of the electrical components is facilitated.
[0023] Further, preferably in the present invention, the electrical-component board may
be attached so that a side of the electrical-component board to which the plurality
of kinds of electrical components is attached is facing the front cover.
[0024] Accordingly, with the side to which the electrical-components are attached facing
the front board side, the electrical components are protected from the radiation heat
of the engine, which makes it possible to maintain the performance of the electrical
components and to improve the durability.
[0025] Further, preferably in the present invention, connectors of an electrical harness
for operating the electrical components may be abutted and directly connected to electrical
terminals disposed on the electrical components.
[0026] Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the electrical harnesses branched from the
electrical harness to the respective electrical components from rocking due to vibration
of the vehicle and from contacting the engine or other components to become damaged.
[0027] Further, since rocking of the branched electrical harnesses is restricted, it is
no longer necessary to provide the clamps for supporting the branched electrical harnesses
and the brackets for supporting the clamps, for instance.
[0028] Further, preferably in the present invention, an attachment part of the front cover
to the side frames is covered by the engine hood.
[0029] The upper surfaces of the side frames can also serve as a floor surface during work
of a driver. Thus, according to the present invention, reducing even a part of the
fastening members for attaching the front cover to the side frames makes it possible
to improve safety of work of the driver.
[0030] Further, preferably in the present invention, the front cover and/or the electrical-component
board may include a clamp bracket for fixing a clamp which supports the electrical
harness.
[0031] Accordingly, while the front cover is removed from the side frames for maintenance
of the electrical components, the electrical harness is clamped on the front cover,
which prevents deformation of or damage to the joint between the electrical components
and the branched electrical harnesses by simultaneously moving (as far as bending)
the electrical harness, and which makes it easier to see the assembly of the joint.
Thus, it is possible to prevent wrong connection between the electrical components
and the branched electrical harnesses after replacement, which improves maintainability.
Advantageous Effects
[0032] According to the present invention, the electrical components around the engine is
concentrated in a single place, which makes it possible to prevent the electrical
harness from contacting the engine and to facilitate maintenance of the electrical
components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0033]
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a forklift according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an engine hood part of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a front cover to which electrical components are
attached, according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a front cover to which electrical components are
attached, according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a detail view individually illustrating the front cover according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference
to the accompanying drawings. It is intended, however, that unless particularly specified,
dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions and the like of components described
in the embodiments shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limitative of
the scope of the present invention.
(First embodiment)
[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a forklift according to one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0036] A forklift 1 includes a vehicle body 2, a load lifting unit 7 mounted to a front
part of the vehicle body 2, a head guard 5 mounted to an upper part of the vehicle
body 2, front wheels 8, rear wheels 9 mounted to the rear of the vehicle body 2, a
counterweight 3 mounted to the rear of the vehicle body 2, a steering wheel 4 for
steering the rear wheels 9, and a seat 10 for seating a driver. The head guard 5 is
to prevent a load from falling onto a driver's seat due to collapse of loads lifted
by the load lifting unit 7. The front wheels 8 are driving wheels for moving the forklift
1. The rear wheels 9 are steering wheels of the forklift 1. The counterweight 3 has
a weight such that the rear wheels 9 do not become spaced from the road surface due
to the weight of loads on the load lifting unit 7, and such that the rear wheels 9
can contact the road surface firmly.
[0037] Since the forklift 1 is steered by the rear wheels 9, the traveling direction of
the vehicle body 2 cannot be changed unless the rear wheels 9 are brought into firm
contact with the road surface by the counterweight 3.
[0038] The load lifting unit 7 includes forks 72 having an L shape as seen from the side,
on which loads are to be placed, a back rest 73 to which the forks 72 are attached,
a mast 71 for supporting the back rest 73 slidably in the vertical direction, a lift
chain (not illustrated) for sliding the back rest 73 in the vertical direction, and
a tilt cylinder (hydraulic pressure) 76 for tilting the mast 71 and an assist mast
75 to adjust tips of the forks 72, disposed in the mast 71.
[0039] The tips of the forks 72 are tilted (adjusted) upward and downward to insert the
forks 72 under a load, so that the load is placed on the forks 72.
[0040] The assist mast 75 is slid by a lift cylinder (hydraulic pressure) that is not illustrated,
upward and downward with respect to the mast 71.
[0041] As illustrated in FIGs. 2 and 3, the vehicle body 2 of the forklift 1 includes a
pair of right and left side frames 21 extending in the front-rear direction of the
forklift 1 and arranged at an interval in the vehicle width direction, and a front
cross member (not illustrated) at the front and a rear cross member (not illustrated)
at the rear connecting the pair or right and left side frames 21 in the vehicle width
direction. The front and rear cross members are arranged at an interval in the front-rear
direction.
[0042] Further, an engine, a device for driving the front wheels, a hydraulic pump for generating
hydraulic cylinder as a power source of a hydraulic device or the like, and a device
for driving and work such as a steering device for the rear wheels (not illustrated)
are mounted between the pair of right and left side frames 21.
[0043] Still further, a cover and the like covering the top of these devices are provided.
[0044] A pair of right and left side covers 26 is disposed removably so as to be erected
at a position facing the engine and various devices of the forklift, and on the upper
surfaces of the pair of side frames 21. A front cover 25 is disposed at a position
for closing front ends of the side covers 26 in the vehicle front-rear direction so
as to be disposed over the pair of right and left side frames 21. The front cover
25 is removably attached to the pair of right and left side frames. An engine room
ER is a space surrounded by the side covers 26 and the front cover 25. An engine hood
24 covers the upper end of the engine room ER.
[0045] The front end surface of the counterweight 3 closes an opening formed by the pair
of right and left side covers 26 and the engine hood 24 at the rear side of the vehicle.
[0046] Further, at the region in front of the front cover, the upper plane between the pair
of right and left side frames 21 is covered by a floor board 27 on which the driver's
feet are to be rested to operate the forklift 1.
[0047] The engine hood 24 is pivotable toward the rear of the vehicle about hinges (not
illustrated) disposed on a boundary between the counterweight 3 and the rear edge
of the engine hood 24.
[0048] Here, the reference sign 30 indicates a damper device that assists the backward pivot
of the engine hood 24 via the hinges.
[0049] Further, a hook unit 28 for stopping the backward pivot of the engine hood 24 is
disposed on the front edge of the engine hood 24.
[0050] The hook unit 28 includes a hook portion 28a fixed to the front cover 25, and a hook
lever 28b fixed to the engine hood 24 side.
[0051] The hook portion 28a is engaged with the hook lever 28b by rotating an operation
lever 28c of the hook lever 28b downward about the rotational shaft of the hook lever
28b, and moving the engagement part at the lower end of the hook lever 28b downward.
The moved engagement part is rotatable in the vehicle front-rear direction. Thus,
the engagement of the hook portion 28a with the hook lever 28b is completed by (manually)
shifting the engagement part to the hook portion 28a to rotate the hook lever 28b
upward again.
[0052] FIG. 5 is a diagram individually illustrating the front cover 25.
[0053] The front cover 25 is a single piece integrally including a cover body 25a formed
in a substantially rectangular shape closing a space between the pair of right and
left side covers 26, an upper flange portion 25b which is an upper edge of the cover
body 25a bended rearward (to the side the electrical components are mounted to), side
flange portions 25c bended rearward from the opposite edges in the vehicle width direction
of the cover body 25a so as to maintain the rigidity and inclination of the cover
body 25a in the front-rear direction, and attachment portions 25d bended inwardly
in the vehicle width direction from the lower edge of the side flange portions 25c
to be placed on the upper surfaces of the side frames 21. The front cover 25 is fastened
to the side frames 21 by bolts 21a being fastening members at the attachment portions
25d.
[0054] The upper flange portion 25b has the functions of maintaining the rigidity of the
cover body 25a and protecting the electrical components R described below.
[0055] Specifically, with the upper flange portion 25b bended toward the side to which the
electrical components are attached, it is possible to prevent the electrical components
from getting wet with the upper flange portion 25b even if rainwater passes through
the gap around the engine hood 24 when it rains.
[0056] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the attachment portions 25d of the front cover
25 are fastened from above by the bolts 21a being fastening members to the upper surfaces
of the side frames 21.
[0057] As illustrated in FIG. 3, an engine, a device for driving the front wheels, a hydraulic
pump that generates hydraulic pressure as a power source of the hydraulic devices
or the like, and a number of electrical components R are attached to the back surface
(facing the engine) of the front cover 25. The electrical components R control operation
of traveling and work devices such as a steering device for the rear wheels.
[0058] As illustrated in FIG. 4, many electrical components R are attached to the back surface
of the body portion 25a of the front cover 25.
[0059] Each electrical component R includes an electrical terminal (not illustrated) for
electrical connection.
[0060] On the other hand, an electrical harness HG connected to the electrical terminals
is arranged inside the engine room ER.
[0061] The electrical harness HG includes a bundle of wires connected to the electrical
components covered by a tube member having heat resistant property and flexibility.
[0062] From the electrical harness HG, branch harnesses HS electrically connected to the
respective electrical components R are branched. Each branch harness HS includes a
coupler HK at its distal end. The couplers HK are directly connected to the electrical
terminals of the respective electrical components R.
[0063] Further, at the lower part of the body portion 25a of the front cover 25, a clamp
23 for fixing the electrical harness HG and a clamp bracket 22 for fixing the clamp
23 to the front cover 25 are fixed.
[0064] The electrical harness HG is fixed to the front cover 25, and the branched harnesses
HS branched from the electrical harness HG are connected to the electrical terminals
of the electrical components R.
[0065] Thus, the branched harnesses HS are fixed at both of the electrical harness HG and
the corresponding electrical component R, which prevents rocking of the branched harnesses
HS due to vibration of the vehicle.
[0066] The electrical harness HG and the branched harnesses HS are fixed while being gathered
toward the body portion 25a of the front cover 25.
[0067] Thus, even if the forklift 1 travels on a rough road, it is possible to prevent damage
to the electrical harness HG and the branched harnesses HS due to approach or contact
with the engine.
[0068] The maintenance of the electrical components R is carried out in the following order.
First, the hook unit 28 of the front cover 25 is disconnected and the engine hood
24 is pivoted toward the rear of the vehicle.
[0069] Then, the side covers 26 are removed from the side frames 21, the bolts 21a attaching
the front cover 25 to the side frames 21 are removed, and the front cover 25 is inclined
forward. Finally, the maintenance is performed.
[0070] After the maintenance is completed, assembly is carried out in the reverse order
of the above.
[0071] When the front cover 25 is removed from the side frames 21 for maintenance of the
electrical components R, it is possible to move (as far as bend) the electrical harness
HG and the branched harnesses HS at the same time if the electrical harness HG is
clamped on the front cover 25.
[0072] Thus, it is possible to prevent deformation or damage of the joint between the electrical
components R and the branched harnesses HS.
[0073] Further, since there is a good view of a connection state of the joint, it is possible
to prevent an error when reconnecting the electrical components and the branched electrical
harnesses after replacement, which improves maintainability.
(Second embodiment)
[0074] The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in that the front
cover 25 further includes an electrical-component board 29. Configuration except for
the electrical-component board 29 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and
thus it is not described below in particular.
[0075] Further, the same feature is indicated by the same reference number in accordance
with the above description.
[0076] In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the electrical-component board
29 is further provided for the front cover 25 at the engine room ER side.
[0077] The electrical-component board 29 is fastened to the body portion 25a of the front
cover 25 by bolts 21a being fastening members.
[0078] The electrical-component board 29 is mounted to the body portion 25a so that a side
of the electrical-component board 29 to which more than one of the electrical components
R are attached is facing the body portion 25a side of the front cover 25.
[0079] In the present embodiment, the number of mounted electrical components is large,
so the number of electrical harnesses HG and branch harnesses HS is increased as well.
[0080] Accordingly, at the lower part of the body portion 25a of the front cover 25, clamps
23a for fixing the electrical harness HG and clamp brackets 22b, 22c for fixing the
clamps 23a to the front cover 25 are fixed.
[0081] Further, the clamp bracket 22 and the electrical-component board 29 are fastened
together by the attachment bolts 21a of the electrical-component board 29, so that
the electrical harness HG is fixed to the front cover 25 by the clamps 23a.
[0082] With the above configuration, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can
be achieved.
[0083] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the electrical-component board 29 is mounted
to the body portion 25a so that a side of the electrical-component board 29 to which
more than one of the electrical components R are attached is facing the body portion
25a side of the front cover 25.
[0084] In this way, radiation heat of the engine is blocked by the electrical-component
board 29 for the electrical components R, which results in a good effect for an electrical
control unit that is particularly likely to be affected by heat.
Industrial Applicability
[0085] The present invention relates to an electrical-component attachment structure disposed
in an engine room of a forklift.
Reference Signs List
[0086]
- 1
- Forklift
- 2
- Vehicle body
- 5
- Head guard
- 7
- Load lifting unit
- 21
- Vehicle body frame
- 22a, 22b, 22c
- Clamp bracket
- 23a
- Clamp
- 24
- Engine hood
- 25
- Front cover
- 26
- Side cover
- 27
- Floor board
- 28
- Hook unit
- 29
- Electrical-component board
- ER
- Engine room
- HG
- Electrical harness
- HK
- Coupler
- HS
- Branch harness
- R
- Electrical component